California suspect in 6 homicides charged with murder

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California man suspected of killing four children and two women has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in one of the deaths.

The Modesto Bee reports (http://tinyurl.com/o2kk2o5)Thursday that 30-year-old Martin Martinez pleaded not guilty to murder and child endangerment in the October death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old boy. His bail has been set at $5 million.

The toddler died of head injuries suffered in fall while in Martinez' care. Martinez told police the injuries were caused by an accident.

Martinez is also suspected of the Saturday killing of his girlfriend, their 6-month-old daughter, his girlfriend's 6-year-old daughter, his mother and an unidentified 5-year-old girl.

Martinez remains jailed in Modesto, and it's unclear whether he has retained a lawyer who could comment on the case.